Topeka ? House Majority Leader Ray Merrick says he’s tired of the escalating cost of the Statehouse renovation project.

So, on Thursday he asked the Legislative Coordinating Council to consider hiring The Konrath Group, a management firm, to assess the $285 million project. “We owe it to ourselves and the people of this state,” Merrick, R-Stilwell, said.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Konrath, which specializes in consulting on construction projects, wrote lawmakers earlier this month, pitching its services, although it mentioned no pricetag for its evaluation.

“I’ve seen the letter as well,” said House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson. “I’m intrigued to hear what they have to say.”

The LCC, which is made up of legislative leaders from both parties, decided it will hear a presentation from Konrath at its August meeting.

Periodically, lawmakers grumble about the cost of repairing and renovating the Capitol.

In December, legislative leaders delayed approving bonds for the final phase of the project.

But then in the just-completed legislative session, they reversed themselves and OK’d $38 million in bonds despite having cut funding to social services, public safety and schools because of budget problems during the same session. Last year, it was estimated that the final cost of the Capitol project would reach $285.6 million.

The project has been ongoing since 2001. When originally envisioned in 2000, the cost projections were in the $90 million to $120 million range.

According to officials, the price has increased because of a variety of factors, including add-ons, such as a $15 million parking garage and a new ground floor of office space. Also, inflation, until recently, had been much higher than was expected in 2000, and workers have found numerous problems in the building that weren’t initially apparent.